Reciprocating engine, pump, or compressor of the swash or wobble plate types



Jan. 11, 1 938. K. K.ITURNER 2,105,019

REdIPROCATING ENGINE, PUMP, OR COMPRESSCR OF THE SWASI'I OR WOBBLE PLATE TYPES Filed Jun l, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet l Fig 8 ZS W FF 6 4 7 1 5 '10 Fig.2.

Bym k Jan. 11, 1938. K K, TURNE 2,105,019

RECIPROCATING ENGINE, PUMP, OR COMPRESSOR OF THE SWASH OR WOBBLE PLATE TYPES Filed June 1, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 Jan. 11, 1938. K. K. TURNER RECIPROCATiNG ENGINE, PUMP, OR COMPRESSOR OF THE SWASH OR WOBBLE PLATE TYPES s Sheets-Sheet :5

Filed June 1, 1936 5 14a 15a f I a .W M n 0 Fig Aenngfir Kg;

ATTUP/VEY Patented Jan. 11, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PLATE TYPES Kenneth Kestell- Turner, London, England 'Application June 1, 1936, Serial No. 82,696 In Great Britain June 12, 1935 18 Claims. (01. 14-60) This invention relates to reciprocating engines, pumps or compressors of the axial or barrel type wherein a reciproco-undulatory member (commonly referred to as a swash-plate or Wobbler) mounted on a slant-, skewor Z-shaft is utilized for the conversion of the reciprocating movements of pistons into rotary movement of the shaft or vice versa, and to engines, pumps or compressors of the swash-plate type wherein the pistons are connected to a cage or member fitted with suitable means for the conversion of the reciprocatory movements of the pistons into the rotary movement of a swash-plate or slant or vice .versa.

In engines, pumps or compressors of the above type hitherto constructed diificulties have been experienced in providing suitable mechanism which will allow the oscillating or wobbling member to oscillate or wobble, without rotating relatively to the pistons, in such a manner that all 20 parts of the oscillating or wobbling member at all times follow simple and undisturbed harmonic paths, such paths being similar for all similar parts of the said member. A mode of preventing the rotation of the oscillating or wobbling mem- 25 ber which allows of the member conforming to a natural movement is to provide the member with a suitable ring of teeth meshing with another similar ring of teeth attached to a suitable fixed mounting. This method is not altogether satis- 30 factory in practice owing to breakdown of the teeth caused by the nature of the loads applied to them In operation the path of a point on the median plane of an oscillating or wobbling member, when -35 viewed from a position directly in line with the point and the centre of oscillation or wobble, will take the form of a flgure-of-eight drawn on the surface of a sphere of radius equal to the radial distance of the particular point from the centre 40 of oscillation or wobble. Consequently, while the oscillating or wobbling member is to be prevented from rotation, the constraint which is applied for this purpose should be of such a nature as to allow the member to follow freely the small 45 tangential oscillations which are components of the said figure-of-eight movement.

An object of the present invention is to provide, in an engine, pump or compressor of the above type, simple and economically constructed means 50 for preventing rotation of the oscillating or wobbling member while allowing the member to conform to a true oscillating or wobblingmovement, i. e., a movement in which points on its periphery follow figure-of-eight paths as above mentioned,

55 whereby the elements associated with the member are allowed to operate in a sinusoidal or harmonic manner.

I accomplish the above mentioned object by providing means for preventing the rotation of a reciproco-undulatory member in a reciprocating 5 engine, pump or compressor of the axial or barrel type, which means apply to three or more equiangularly located points about said member, sinusoidally related yielding constraints affording in sum a constant resistance to rotation of said 10 member while allowing said points to follow their normal figure-of-eight paths.

In means as aforesaid the constraints may be applied tangentially and distributed from a common source, as by a fluid, to mechanisms articulated to the member at said points.

I may provide, for preventing rotation of a reciproco-undulatory member, means comprising constraining members articulated to the reciproco-undulatory member at three or more equlangularly located points and disposed substan-. tially tangentially and supported by pistons or plungers slidably ,mounted in equiangularly spaced tangential cylinders comprised or mounted in the casing of the mechanism, or mounted in other fixed abutment means, with yielding meansbearing on the end 'surfaces of the pistons or plungers within the cylinders.

The aforesaid yielding means preferably comprises a fluid distributed to the cylinders from a common source. Such common distribution source may include a fluid reservoir having preferably adjustable means, such as a spring-loaded plunger, foraccommodating the yielding means to conditions of momentary overload.

Alternatively, however, the yielding means may comprise like springs disposed in each of the cylinders to bear on the plungers.

'I'he restraining members in means as afore- V said may be rods universally articulated singly .to 40 projections from the periphery of the reciprocoundulatory'member and extending in the same sense (i. e., clockwise or counter-clockwise) each to a piston or plunger to which it is also universally articulated.

*A variation consists in articulating rods universally in pairs to the aforesaid projections, which rods are disposed to extend in opposite directions each to a piston or plunger.

Under modification, each restraining member may extend tangentially between opposed pairs of pistons or plungers and present an axially disposed slot adapted to receive a slipper pivoted to a projection from the reciproco-undulatory member: at one of said equlangularly located points. i g

In another modification, members extend tangentially between opposed pairs of pistons and are universally articulated to the outer ends of restraining members having forked inner ends pivoted in the median plane of the reciprocoundulatory member.

Some embodiments of the invention will be described, by way of example with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings,

wherein:

Fig. l is a-fragmentary side elevation of an engine, pump or compressor of the kind referred to, having the casing broken away to show the wobbler mechanism;

Fig. 2 is a sectional end view on the line II-II of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a corresponding sectional end view of another embodiment;

Fig. 4 is a partly sectional view of a detail, on the line'IV-IV of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a sectional end view, corresponding to Fig. 2 of yet another embodiment;

Fig. 6 is a partly sectional view of a detail, on the line VI-VI of Fig. 5;

Fig. '7 is a section on the line VII--VII of Fig. 6; and

Fig. 8 is an enlarged section on the line VIIIVIII of Fig. 7.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a cylinder block I is disposed coaxially about an operative Z-shaft 2, and includes nine equiangularly disposed operative cylinders 3. A wobbler 4 is rotatably'mounted on the skew portion 5 of the shaft 2, which portion is securely mounted in oppositely directed webs 6 and 1. A casing 8 houses the wobbler 4. Connecting rods 9 are universally articulated to equiangularly spaced points on the wobbler 4 by means of universal joints l0, and extend to pistons in the cylinders 3.

When the skew portion 5rotates with the shaft 2, the wobbler 4, without itself rotating, performs a reciproco-undulatory motion. In the course of this movement, each of the joints ||l follows a sinusoidal figure-of eight path in the surface of a sphere about the centre of oscillation 'of the wobbler. In order that the movements of the various elements may be of a sinusoidal or harmonic nature, constraint applied to the wobbler 4 to prevent it from rotating must be such as to allow the slight tangential oscillations thereof which are components of the figure-of-eight motion.

For the purpose of the application of such constraint to the wobbler 4, it has three arms I l projecting from it in equiangular relationship. Rods |2 are universally articulated between the projections H and plungers |3 which work in cylinders l4 comprised in or secured to the casing 8. Each cylinder M has at or adjacent its outer end a port l5 whereby it communicates with a fluid channel, indicated by a ring of tubing |6, which distributes fluid to the interiors of the cylinders l4. The fluid has access to a cylinder H, in which is housed a plunger I8 loaded by a compression spring'l9. The cylinder IT has a screw cap 20 whereby the stress of the spring l9 may be adjusted, and a fixed abutment (e. g., the base of the cylinder) limiting the inward movement of the plunger l8.

In operation, each of the projections H oscillates in a figure-of-eight path whose major dimension is transverse to the axis of the assoelated plunger l3. The path has, however, a component parallel to said axis, or tangential, so that the plunger I3 is caused during each complete oscillation of the wobbler 4 to perform two reciprocations in the cylinder l4. Now, since the projections H are equiangularly disposed, their movements have a sinusoidal relation, and the sum of the tangential components of said movement will always be zero. Consequently (if the effect of angularity of the rods |2 be ignored) the sum of the volumes of the cylinders I4, above the plungers l3, will be constant, and the fluid in said cylinders will offer constant resistance to the rotation of the wobbler 4, while yieldingly allowing it to follow its figure-of-eight movement.

In order to compensate for any slight variation of the total volume enclosed by the plungers l3 and the cylinders M, as a result of temporary overload or on account of the varying angularity of the rods 12, the plunger I8 is movable with such variation against or by the spring l9.

In the modification shown in Figs. 3 and 4, members 3| are articulated to reduced portions 2| at the outer ends of forked restraining members 22. The inner ends of the forked members 22 are all pivoted to the interior of the wobbler 4 in the median plane thereof, each member having a limb 23 located nearer the centre of oscillation of the wobbler than its other limb 24. The members 22 project through slots 25 in the shell of the wobbler 4, which slots are of hambone shape (when developed to a plane) since the pivoted ends of the limbs23 and 24 follow figure-of-eight paths with a difference of phase relative to the similarly moving portions of the wobbler 4 through which the members 22 project. Each of the members 3| extends between plungers l3 and l3a.in an opposed pair of cylinders l4 and Ma, which have p'orts I5 and |5a by which they communicate respectively with distribution channels l6 and |Ba each having a cylinder unit "-20, as shown in Fig. l, and for the same purpose. The cylinders l4 and Ma are shown detachable from the casing 8. The members 3| have at their middles enlarged portions 32 within which are part-spherical apertures engaged by discs 33 having cooperating partspherical peripheries and slidably mounted on the reduced outer end portions 2| of the forked members 22.

The enlarged portion 32 of each member 3| has in its aperture a pair of oppositely disposed recesses 34, which enable the disc 33 to be inserted edgewise and then turned through 90 (to the position shown) prior to insertion therein of the end portion 2|. This arrangement enables convenient assembly and ensures a trouble-free joint affording universal movement through the limited angles required.

The operation of the means preventing rotation'is the same as that previously described. Owing to the equiangular relationship of the members 22, the sum of the sinusoidally related tangential movements of the members 3| is always zero. Thus, although the pairs of plungers l3 and |3a always occupy different relative positions, these positions are governed by a sine law and the total volumes of the spaces enclosed by the plungers I3 and the cylinders l4, and by the plungers I30. and the cylinders |4a, are constant. Consequently, the fluid distributed by the channels I6 and Mia will again prevent rotation of the wobbler 4 while yielding as required to enable it to follow its figure-of-eight motion.

Figs. 5 to 8 show another modification wherein the constraining members are cruciform.

Gil

Each comprises an arcuate element 26 supported by two arms 21 and 21a extending tangentially in opposite, directions and secured respectively to pistons l3 and Ba in an opposed pair-of detachable cylinders I4 and Ma tangentially located in the casing B. The cylinders have ports l and I5a by which they communicate respectively with distribution channels it and IBa, as in Fig. 3. The wobbler 4 has projections I I equiangularly disposed (as in Fig. 1). Each of these projections has at its outer end a reduced portion 28 (Fig. 8) carrying a radially slidable ball 29 in engagement with slippers 30 which are slidable within the slotted element 26.

In the embodiment last described, as the wobbler 4 oscillates from its extreme position as shown (corresponding to the position in elevation of the wobbler shown by Fig. 1) to its other extreme position the slippers 30 engaging the ball 29 mounted on the projection ll slide along the slotted element 26, whereby rotation of the wobbler 4 is prevented. The constraint applied by the element 26 is, however, of a.yielding nature tangentially, i. e. in the common axis of the cylinders l4 and I 4a, by virture of the communication of these cylinders with the other cylinders l4 and Ma. As above stated, the-positions of the three pistons I 3 are sinusoidally related, and also the positions of the three'pistons l3a, so that thetotal volumes enclosed respectively by the pistons I3 and the cylinders l4, and by the pistons Km and the cylinders Ma remain constant. Thus, while the wobbler 4 is prevented from rotating, under the yielding constraintexercised by the fluid in the cylinders l4 and Ma, it is allowed to move through the tangential components of its figure-of-eight movement.

The embodiments described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2 and Figs. 5-8 are applicable for preventing rotation of a wobbler mounted on a rotating slant-,skewor Z-shaft, or of a cage or equivalent member which engages the peripheral portion of a rotary swash-plate obliquely secured to the operative shaft of the engine, pump or compressor. On the other hand, the embodiment described with reference to Figs. 3 and 4 is conveniently applicable only for preventing rotation of a wobbler mounted on a rotary slant-, skewor Z-shaft.

The plungers l3 and 13a are provided with any suitable packing or rings or equivalent for preventing or minimizing leakage of the restraining fluid past them from the closed circuit constituted by the cylinders M, the channel l6 and the reservoir I1.

Evidently, in a modification of the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2, each of the projections ll may have attached to it a pair of rods l2 extending in opposite directionsand articulated to plungers working in opposed pairs of cylinders like the cylinders l4 and Ma of Fig. 3 or 5.

The embodiments described with reference to Figs. 3 and 4 or Figs. 5-8 may also be modified by associating each of the elements 26 or 3| with only one plunger, such as l3, suitable means being provided for maintaining said element for movement only in the axial direction of its associated plunger.

Moreover, in each of-the embodiments and the modifications thereof above described and referred to, the yielding, tangentially-acting constraints may be applied by means of springs instead of fluid. Such springs may, for example, conveniently be housed in barrels located similarly to the cylinders I4 (and l4a).- Preferably,

the springs are designed and made, in a manner known per se, to have a sinusoidal stress/strain relationship.

It will be evident to those having knowledge of the art that there are various other modifications which may be adopted without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the yielding constraints may be applied, for preventing rotation of the reciproco-undulatory member, in directions other than tangential. Particularly, three or more rods articulated at equiangularly spaced points to the reciprocoundulatory member may extend, in a common plane and tangentially 'to a common circle in said plane, to members whereby yielding constraints are applied tangentially, radially or at any other suitable angle relative to .the axis of the operative shaft.

I claim:-

1. In a machine of the type wherein a plurality of pistons are operatively connected with a member to which is imparted a reciproco-undulatory movement such that any point in said member normally follows a figure-of-eight path in a sperical surface, means serving to apply to said member at not less than three equiangularly located points sinusoidally related yielding constraints afiording in sum a constant resistance to rotation of said member and allowing said points to follow their figure-of-eight paths.

2. In a machine of the type wherein a plurality of pistons are operatively connected with a member to which is imparted a reciproco undulatory movement such that any point in said member normally follows a figure-of-eight path in a spherical surface, a plurality of mechanisms connected with said member at not less than three of pistons are operatively connected with a member to which is imparted a reciproco-undulatory movement such that any point in said member normally follows a figure-of-eight path in a.

spherical surface, a plurality of mechanisms connected with said member at not less than three equiangularly located points, a source of pressure-resistant fluid, and means distributing the resistant pressure of said fluid to apply to said mechanisms tangential yieldingconstraints allowing said points to follow their figure-ofeight paths while preventing rotation of said member. I

4. In a machine of the type wherein a plurality of pistons are operatively connected with a member to which is imparted a. reciproco-undulatory movement such that any point in sai member normally follows a figure-of-eight path in a spherical surface, means for preventing rotation of said member comprising constraining members articulated 7 to said reciproco-undulatory member at not less than three equiangularly located points, plungers associated with said constraining members, cylinders mounted in the machine and housing said plungers, and yielding means bearing on the end surfaces of the plungers within the cylinders to apply tangential yielding constraints through said constraining members to said points.

source and thereby enabling said fluid to apply tangential yielding constraints to said points through said plungers and said constraining members.

6. In a machine of the type wherein a plurality of pistons are operatively connected with a member to which is imparted a reciproco-undulatory movement such that any point in said member normally follows a flgure-of-eight path in a spherical surface, means for preventing rotation of said member comprising constraining members, articulated to said reciproco-undulatory member at not less than three equiangularly located points, plungers associated with said constraining members, cylinders mounted in the machine ..and housing said plungers, a source of pressure-resistant fluid, a fluid reservoir in communication with said source, a plunger in said reservoir, loading means on said plunger yieldable to overload on the fluid, and means establishing communication between said cylinders and said source and thereby enabling said :fluid to .apply tangential yielding constraints to said points through said plungers and said constraining'members.

7. In a. machine of the type wherein a plurality of pistons are operatively connected with a member to which is imparted a reciproco-undulatory movement such that any point in said member normally follows a flgure-of-eight path in a spherical surface,-means for preventing rotation of said member comprising rods universally articulated to said reciproco-undulatory member at not less than three equiangularly located points and extending tangentially, plungers articulated to said rods, cylinders mounted in the machine and housing said plungers, and yielding means bearing on the end surfaces of the plungers within the cylinders to apply' tangential yielding constraints through said rods to said points.

8. In a machine of the type wherein a plurality of pistons are operatively connectedwith a member to, which is imparted a reciproco-undulatory movement .such that any point insaid member normally follows a figure-of-eight path in a spherical surface, 'means for preventing rotation of said member comprising rods universally articulated to said reciproco-undulatory member at not less than three equiangularly located points and extending tangentially in the same sense, plungers articulated to said rods, cylinders mounted tangentially in the machine and housing said plungers, a source of pressure-resistant fluid, and means establishing communicationbetween said cylinders and said source and thereby enabling said fluid to apply tangential yielding constraints to said points, through said plungers and said rods.

9. In a machine of the type wherein a plurality of pistons are operatively connected with a member to which is imparted a reciproco-undulatory movement such that any point in said member normally follows a figure-of-eight path in a spherical surface, means for preventing rotation of said member comprising tangentially disposed rods universally articulated to said reciprocoundulatory member at not less than three equiangularly located points, plungers articulated to said rods, cylinders mounted in the machine and housing said plungers, a source of pressure-resistant fluid, a fluid reservoir in communication with said source, a plunger in said reservoir, loading means on said plunger yielding to overload on the fluid, and means establishing communication between said cylinders and said source and thereby enabling said fluid to apply tangential yielding constraints to said points through said plungers and said rods.

10. Ina machine of the type wherein a plurality of pistons are operatively connected with a member to' which is imparted a reciproco-undulatory movement such that any point in said member normally follows a flgure-of-eight path in a spherical surface, means for preventing rotation of said member comprising at least three tangentially disposed constraining members each presenting an axially disposed slot, slippermeans engaging said slots and articulated to said reciproco-undulatory member at not less than three equiangularly located points, plungers associated with said constraining members, cylinders mounted in the machine and housing said plungers, and yielding means bearing on the end surfaces of the plungers within the cylinders to apply tangential yielding constraints through said constraining members to said points 11. In a machine of the type wherein a plurality of pistons are operatively connected with a member to which is imparted a reciproco-undulatory movement such that any point in said member normally follows a flgure-of-eight path in a spherical surface, means for preventing rotation of said member comprising at least three tangentially disposed constraining members each presenting at its middle an axially disposed slot, slipper means engaging said slots and articulated to said reciproco-undulatory member at not less than three equiangularly located points, plungers secured to both ends of each of said constraining members, cylinders mounted tangentially clockstraining members.

12. In a machine of the type wherein a plurality of pistons are operatively connected with a member to which is imparted a reciproco-undulatory movement such that any point in said member normally follows a figure-of-eight path in a spherical surface, means for preventing rotation of said member comprising at least three tangentially disposed constraining members each presenting at its middle an axially disposed slot, slipper means engaging said slots and articulated to said reciproco-undulatory member at not less than three equiangularly located points, plungers secured to both ends of each of said constraining members, cylinders mounted tangentially clockwise and anticlockwise in the machine and housing said plungers, two sources of pressure-resistant fluid, fluid reservoirs in communiin each of said reservoirs, loading means on each of said plungers yieldable to overload on the fluids, means establishing communication between said clockwise cylinders and one of said sources, and means establishing communication between said anticlockwise cylinders and the other of said sources and thereby enabling said fluid to apply tangential yielding constraints to said points through said plungers and said constraining members.

13. In a machine of'the type wherein a plurality of pistons are operatively connected with a member to which isimparted a reoiproco-undulatory movement such that any point in said member normally follows a figure-of-eight path in a spherical surface, means for preventing rotation of said member comprising at least three members having forked inner ends pivoted equiangularly in the median plane of said reciprocoundulatory member, the outer ends of said forked members extending through slots in the reciproco-undulatory member, tangentially disposed members articulated to said outer ends, plungers associated with said tangentially disposed members, cylinders mounted in the machine and housing said plungers, and yielding means bear= ing on the end surfaces of the plungers within the cylinders to apply tangential. yielding constraints through said tangentially disposed members and said forked members to said reciprocoundulatory member.

14. In a machine of the type wherein a plurality of pistons are operatively connected with a member to which is imparted a reciproco-undulatory movement such that any point in said member normally follows a flgure-of-eight path in a spherical surface, means for preventing rotation of said member comprising at least three members having forked inner ends pivoted equi angularly in the median plane of said reciprocaundulatory member, the outer ends of said forked members extending through slots in the recipro co-undulatory member, tangentially disposed members articulated to said outer ends, plungers secured to both ends of each of said tangentially disposed members, cylinders mounted tangentially clockwise and anticlockwise in the machine and housing said plungers, two sources of pressureresistant fluid, means establishing communication between said clockwise cylinders and one of said sources, and means establishing communication between said anticlockwise cylinders and the other of said sources and thereby enabling said fluid to apply tangential yielding constraints through said plungers, said tangentially disposed members and said forked members to said reciproco-undulatory member.

15. In a machine of the type wherein a plurality of pistons are operativelyconnected with a member to which is imparted a reciproco-undulatory movement such that any point in said member normally follows a flgure-of-eight path in a spherical surface, means for preventing rotation of said member comprising at least three members having forked inner ends pivoted equiangularly in the median plane of said reciprocoundulatory member, the outer ends of said forked members extending through slots in the reciproco-undulatory member, tangentially disposed members articulated to said outer ends, plungers secured to both ends of each of said tangentially disposed members, cylinders mounted tangentially clockwise and anticlockwise in the machine and housing said plungers, two sources of pressure-resistant fluid, two fluid reservoirs in communication one with each of said sources, a

plunger in each of said reservoirs, loading means on said plungers yieldable to overload on the fluids, means establishing communication between said clockwise cylinders and one of said sources, and means establishing communication between said anticlockwise cylinders and the other of said sources and thereby enabling said fluid to apply tangential yielding constraints, through said plungers, said tangentially disposed members and said forked members to said reciproco-undulatory member.

16. Means for preventing rotation of the reciproco-undulatory member of a machine wherein said member is operatively associated with a plurality of pistons in such manner that any point on said member normally follows a figure-ofeight path in a spherical surface, said means applying to at least three equianguiarly located points about said member sinusoidally related yielding constrains affording in sum a constant resistance to rotation of said member and which prevent the rotation while allowing said points to follow their normal figure-of-eight paths.

'17. Means for preventing rotation of the re ciproco-undulatory member ofa machine wherein said member is operatively associated with a plurality of pistons in such manner that any point on said member normally follows a figure-ofelght path in a spherical surface, said means having, in combination, a source of pressure-resistant fluid, distribution means for said fluid, and a plurality of mechanisms serving to apply to said member tangentially at not less than three equiangularly located points yielding constraints exercised by said pressure-resistant fluid.

18. Means for preventing rotation of the reciproco-undulatory member of a machine wherein said member is operatively associated with a plurality of pistons in such manner that any point on said member normally follows a flgure-of-eight path in a spherical surface, said means including, in combination, a source of pressure-resistant fluid, at least three equiangularly disposed cylinders, a plunger in each of said cylinders, fluid distribution means connecting said source to said cylinders, and a plurality of like mechanisms connected one with each of said plungers and serving to apply to said member tangentially at a like number of equiangularly located points yielding constraints due to the resistant pressure exercised by said fluid on said nlungers.

KENNETH KES'I'ELL 

